Plastic film stretching apparatus

ABSTRACT

A plastic film is drawn by a method different from a conventional one. The plastic film is intermittently fed in the longitudinal direction. A drawing member and a support base are installed in a plastic film feeding path, oppositely to each other, on both sides of the plastic film in the thickness direction. When the plastic film is temporarily stopped, the drawing member advances toward the support base between the lateral both side edges of the plastic film and is pressed against the plastic film and the support base to draw the plastic film in the longitudinal direction. Then, the drawing member retreats from the support base, and is separated from the plastic film.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to an apparatus for stretching a plastic filmlongitudinally thereof.

BACKGROUND

There has heretofore been proposed an apparatus for stretching a plasticfilm longitudinally thereof to correct a pitch at which a pattern isprinted on the plastic film repeatedly, as disclosed in JapaneseLaid-Open Patent Publication No. 48,260 of 2003.

The apparatus includes heating means for heating and stretching theplastic film. However, the plastic film is not always suitable forheating and stretching. In this connection, it is desired to stretch theplastic film in a way different from the apparatus.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an apparatus forstretching a plastic film longitudinally thereof in a way different fromthe prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, the apparatus includes plastic film feedingmoans by which the plastic film is fed longitudinally thereof andintermittently, the plastic film having opposite surfaces and oppositeside edges. The apparatus further includes a stretching member and aboard disposed on opposite sides of the plastic film to be opposed tothe surfaces of the plastic film and to each other when the plastic filmis fed longitudinally thereof. The apparatus further includes drivemeans by which the stretching member is advanced toward the board to bepressed against the plastic film and the board between the side edges ofthe plastic film to stretch the plastic film longitudinally thereof whenthe plastic film is stopped temporarily. The stretching member is thenretracted from the board and kept apart from the plastic film.

In a preferred embodiment, the stretching member comprises a plateincluding a tapered linear edge and extending widthwise of the plasticfilm. The linear edge is opposed to the board. The plate is advancedtoward the board so that the linear edge can be pressed against theplastic film between the side edges of the plastic film. The plate isthen retracted from the board so that the linear edge can be kept apartfrom the board.

The plate may be moved slightly and longitudinally of the plastic filmafter being retracted and then advanced and retracted again.

The plate may be moved slightly, advanced and retracted at few timesduring the plastic film is stopped temporarily.

A plurality of cylinders may be arranged widthwise of the plastic filmand connected to the plate so that the plate can be advanced by thecylinders.

In another embodiment, the stretching member comprises a plurality ofrollers each of which includes a circumferential edge having a circularaxial section. The rollers are arranged widthwise of the plastic filmand mounted on a beam. The circumferential edge is opposed to the board.The beam is advanced toward the board to make the circumferential edgepressed against the plastic film between the side edges of the plasticfilm. The beam is then moved widthwise of the plastic film so that therollers can be rolled widthwise of the plastic film. The beam is thenretracted from the board so that the circumferential edge can be keptapart from the plastic film.

The rollers may be arranged at a pitch. The beam is moved at a strokecorresponding to the pitch so that the rollers can be rolled at thestroke corresponding to the pitch.

The beam may be moved back to the original position after beingretracted. The beam is then advanced, moved and retracted again.

The beam may be advanced, moved and retracted at few times during theplastic film is stopped temporarily.

A plurality of rollers may be overlapped with each other axially thereofand mounted on the beam.

In another embodiment, the stretching member comprises an elongated rodextending widthwise of the plastic film. The rod is advanced toward theboard to be pressed against the plastic film between the side edges ofthe plastic film. The rod is then retracted from the board and keptapart from the plastic film.

The rod may be moved slightly and longitudinally of the plastic filmafter being retracted. The rod is then advanced and retracted again.

The rod may be moved slightly, advanced and retracted at few timesduring the plastic film is stopped temporarily.

In another embodiment, the stretching member includes an elongated rodextending widthwise of the plastic film and opposed to the board. Aplurality of rollers are arranged widthwise of the plastic film, mountedon a beam and engaged with the rod. The beam is advanced toward theboard so that the rod can be pressed against the plastic film by therollers. The beam is then moved longitudinally of the plastic film sothat the rod can be guided by the rollers to be rolled longitudinally ofthe plastic film. The beam is then retracted from the board so that therod can be kept apart from the plastic film.

In another embodiment, the stretching member comprises a plate includingan end portion at which a curved surface is formed to be curved about acenter and opposed to the board. The plate is advanced toward the boardto make the curved surface pressed against the plastic film between theside edges of the plastic film. The plate is then moved swingingly aboutthe center of the curved surface to be rolled longitudinally of theplastic film. The plate is then retracted from the board so that thecurved surface can be kept apart from the plastic film.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view (a) and a side view (b) of a preferred embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view (a), a side view (b), a sectional view (c)and an explanatory view (d) of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view (a), a side and elevational view (b) and aside view (c) of another embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view (a), an explanatory view (b) and anexplanatory view (c) of another embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a side view (a) and a perspective view (b) of anotherembodiment.

BEST MODE TO CARRY OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention are as follows.

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus 1 accordingto the invention. In the embodiment, the apparatus 1 is incorporatedinto an installation for successively making plastic bags in which twoplastic films 2 and 3 are supplied from rolls 4 and 5 and accumulated inaccumulators 6 and 7. One of the plastic films 2 is then directed toturn bars 8 and 9 to be changed in direction and disposed on the upperside of the other plastic film 3. In addition, the apparatus 1 includesplastic film feeding means comprising feed rollers 10 and combined withthe apparatus 1, one of the plastic films 2 being directed to a dancerroller 11, a mark sensor 12, the apparatus 1 and the feed rollers 10.The other plastic film 3 is directed to a dancer roller 13 and the feedrollers 10. The plastic films 2 and 3 are superposed on each other whenbeing directed to the feed rollers 10. The apparatus 1 is arranged tostretch the plastic film 2 longitudinally thereof.

The feed rollers 10 are rotated by a drive motor so that the plasticfilms 2 and 3 can be fed longitudinally thereof and intermittently andstopped temporarily. The plastic films 2 and 3 are fed in a direction Xwhich is horizontal. In addition, the plastic films 2 and 3 are heatsealed with each other by heat seal means and then cut by a cutterwhenever being fed intermittently and when being stopped temporarily tosuccessively make plastic bags, as in the case of the installation ofJapanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 45,260 of 2003.

In the embodiment, the dancer rollers 11 and 13 give the plastic films 2and 3 tensions. Each of the plastic films 2 and 3 has a pattern printedthereon and a mark placed thereon repeatedly at a pitch. The marksensors 12 detect the marks of the plastic films 2 and 3 to generatesignals. The apparatus 1 stretches one of the plastic films 2longitudinally thereof in response to the signals to correct the pitchat which the pattern is printed on the plastic film 2 repeatedly,resulting in no discrepancy in pattern between the plastic films 2 and3.

In the meantime, the apparatus 1 includes a stretching member comprisinga plate 14, as shown in FIG. 2. In this connection, it should beunderstood that the plastic film 2 has opposite surfaces and oppositeside edges. The plate 14 and a board 15 are disposed on opposite sidesof the plastic film 2 in a direction Z of thickness of the plastic film2 to be opposed to the surfaces of the plastic film 2 and to each otherwhen the plastic film 2 is fed longitudinally thereof. The apparatus 1further includes drive means 17 connected to the plate 14. The plate 14is advanced toward the board 15 by the drive means 17 to be pressedagainst the plastic film 2 and the board 15 between the side edges ofthe plastic film 2 to stretch the plastic film 2 longitudinally thereofwhen the plastic film 2 is stopped temporarily. The plate 14 is thenretracted from the board 15 and kept from the plastic film 2.

In the embodiment, the plate 14 includes a tapered linear edge 16 andextends widthwise of the plastic film 2. The drive means 17 comprises aservo motor and a linkage. The liner edge 16 is opposed to the board 15.The plate 14 is advanced toward the board 15 in the direction Z so thatthe linear edge 16 can be pressed against the plastic film 2 between theside edges of the plastic film 2. The plate 14 is then retracted fromthe board 15 so that the linear edge 16 can be kept apart from the board15. The linear edge 16 is curved along a circle having a radius of about0.5 mm.

The apparatus can therefore stretch the plastic film 2 smoothly when thelinear edge 16 is pressed against the plastic film 2.

In the embodiment, the apparatus further includes additional drive means18 by which the plate 14 is moved slightly and longitudinally of theplastic film 2 or in the direction X′, The additional drive means 18 isconnected to the drive means 17 and the plate 14. In addition, a controldevice 19 is connected to the drive means 17 and the additional drivemeans 18. The drive means 17 and the additional drive means 18 arecontrolled by the control device 19 so that the plate 14 can be movedslightly and longitudinally of the plastic film 2 by the additionaldrive means 18 after being retracted and then advanced and retractedagain. The plate 14 is moved slightly, advanced and retracted at fewtimes during the plastic film 2 is stopped temporarily.

The apparatus can therefore stretch the plastic film 2 effectively.

The plate 14 may be stopped by a stop when being advanced toward theboard 15.

In another embodiment of FIG. 3, the drive means comprises a pluralityof cylinders 20 arranged widthwise of the plastic film 2 and connectedto the plate 14 so that the plate 14 can be advanced by the cylinders20. The cylinders 20 comprise air cylinders or electric cylinders. Inthe embodiment, the cylinders 20 are arranged at a pitch P of about 100mm.

The plate 14 can therefore be advanced exactly so that the linear edge16 can be pressed exactly.

In another embodiment of FIG. 4, the stretching member comprises aplurality of rollers 21 each of which includes a circumferential edge 22having a circular axial section. The rollers 21 are arranged widthwiseof the plastic film 2 or in a direction Y and mounted on a beam 23 forrotation. The circumferential edge 22 is opposed to the board 15. Thedrive means 17 is connected to the beam 23. The apparatus furtherincludes additional drive mans 18 by which the beam 23 is movedwidthwise of the plastic film or in the direction Y. In addition, acontrol device 19 is connected to the drive means 17 and the additionaldrive means 18. The drive means 17 and the additional drive means 18 arecontrolled by the control device 19 so that the beam 23 can be advancedtoward the board 15 to make the circumferential edge 22 pressed againstthe plastic film 2 between the side edges of the plastic film 2. Thebeam 23 is then moved widthwise of the plastic film or in the directionY by the additional drive means 18 so that the rollers 21 can be rolledwidthwise Of the plastic film 2. The beam 23 is then retracted from theboard 15 so that the circumferential edge 22 can be kept apart from theplastic film 2.

In the embodiment, the rollers 21 are arranged at a pitch of about 34mm. The beam 23 is advanced in the direction Z so that the rollers 21can be pressed against the plastic film 2. The beam 23 is then movedwidthwise of the plastic film 2 and at a stroke of about 34 mm so thatthe rollers 21 can be rolled widthwise of the plastic film 2 to stretchthe plastic film 2. The beam 23 is then retracted from the board 15 tomake the rollers 21 kept apart from the plastic film 2. The beam 23 ismoved back widthwise of the plastic film 2 to the original positionafter being retracted. The beam 23 is then advanced, moved and retractedagain. The beam 23 may be advanced, moved and retracted at few timesduring the plastic film 2 is stopped temporarily, Each of the rollers 21has a diameter D of about 8 mm and a thickness T of about 0.5 mm. Thecircular edge 22 is curved along a circle having a radius of about 0.25mm.

The beam 23 may be moved slightly and longitudinally of the plastic film2 or in a direction X′ and moved in the direction Z whenever being movedslightly so that the rollers 21 can be pressed against the plastic film2 at few times. A plurality of rollers 21 may be overlapped with eachother axially thereof and mounted on the beam 23.

In another embodiment of FIG. 5, the stretching member comprises anelongated rod 24 extending widthwise of the plastic film 2 or in thedirection Y and opposed to the board 15. A plurality of rollers 25 arearranged widthwise of the plastic film 2, mounted on a beam 26 andengaged with the rod 24. The beam 26 Is advanced toward the board 15 sothat the rod 24 can be pressed against the plastic film 2 by the rollers25 between the side edges of the plastic film 2. The beam 26 is thenmoved longitudinally of the plastic film 2 or in the direction X′ sothat the rod 24 can be guided by the rollers 25 to be rolledlongitudinally of the plastic film 2. The beam 26 is then retracted fromthe board 15 so that the rod 24 can be kept apart from the plastic film2.

The beam 26 may be moved slightly and longitudinally of the plastic film2 or in the direction X′ and moved in the direction Z whenever beingmoved slightly so that the rod 24 can be pressed against the plasticfilm 2 at few times. The beam 26 may be moved slightly andlongitudinally of the plastic film 2 when the rod 24 is pressed so thatthe rod 24 can be pressed against and rolled along the plastic film 2.

In another embodiment of FIG. 6, the stretching member comprises a plate27 including an end portion at which a curved surface 28 is formed to becurved about a center and opposed to the board 15. The plate 27 isadvanced toward the board 15 to make the curved surface 28 pressedagainst the plastic film 2 between the side edges of the plastic film 2.The plate 27 is then moved swingingly about the center of the curvedsurface 28 to be rolled longitudinally of the plastic film 2. The plate27 is then retracted from the board 15 so that the curved surface 28 canbe kept apart from the plastic film 2.

The plate 28 is fixed to trunnions which are supported by bearings 29for rotation about a center aligned with the center of the curvedsurface 28.

1-15. (canceled) 16: An apparatus for stretching a plastic filmlongitudinally thereof, the apparatus comprising: a plastic film feederby which the plastic film is fed longitudinally thereof andintermittently, the plastic film having opposite surfaces and oppositeside edges; a stretching member and a board disposed on opposite sidesof the plastic film to be opposed to the surfaces of the plastic filmand to each other when the plastic film is fed longitudinally thereof;and a drive by which the stretching member is advanced toward the boardto be pressed against the plastic film and the board between the sideedges of the plastic film to stretch the plastic film longitudinallythereof when the plastic film is stopped temporarily, the stretchingmember being then retracted from the board and kept apart from theplastic film by the drive, wherein the stretching member comprises anelongated rod extending widthwise of the plastic film, the rod beingadvanced toward the board to be pressed against the plastic film betweenthe side edges of the plastic film, the rod being then retracted fromthe board and kept apart from the plastic film. 17: The apparatus as setforth in claim 16 further comprising: an additional drive by which therod is moved slightly and longitudinally of the plastic film; and acontrol device connected to the drive and the additional drive, thedrive and the additional drive being controlled by the control device sothat the rod can be moved slightly by the additional drive after beingretracted, the rod being then advanced and retracted again. 18: Theapparatus as set forth in claim 17 wherein the rod is moved slightly,advanced and retracted a few times while the plastic film is stoppedtemporarily. 19: An apparatus for stretching a plastic filmlongitudinally thereof, the apparatus comprising: a plastic film feederby which the plastic film is fed longitudinally thereof andintermittently, the plastic film having opposite surfaces and oppositeside edges; a stretching member and aboard disposed on opposite sides ofthe plastic film to be opposed to the surfaces of the plastic film andto each other when the plastic film is fed longitudinally thereof; and adrive by which the stretching member is advanced toward the board to bepressed against the plastic film and the board between the side edges ofthe plastic film to stretch the plastic film longitudinally thereof whenthe plastic film is stopped temporarily, the stretching member beingthen retracted from the board and kept apart from the plastic film bythe drive, wherein the stretching member includes an elongated rodextending widthwise of the plastic film and opposed to the board, aplurality of rollers being arranged widthwise of the plastic film,mounted on a beam and engaged with the rod, the drive being connected tothe beam, the apparatus further comprising: an additional drive by whichthe beam is moved longitudinally of the plastic film; and a controldevice connected to the drive and the additional drive, the drive andthe additional drive being controlled by the control device so that thebeam can be advanced toward the board so that the rod can be pressedagainst the plastic film by the rollers, the beam being then moved bythe additional drive so that the rod can be guided by the rollers to berolled longitudinally of the plastic film, the beam being then retractedfrom the board so that the rod can be kept apart from the plastic film.20: An apparatus for stretching a plastic film longitudinally thereof,the apparatus comprising: a plastic film feeder by which the plasticfilm is fed longitudinally thereof and intermittently, the plastic filmhaving opposite surfaces and opposite side edges; a stretching memberand aboard disposed on opposite sides of the plastic film to be opposedto the surfaces of the plastic film and to each other when the plasticfilm is fed longitudinally thereof; and a drive by which the stretchingmember is advanced toward the board to be pressed against the plasticfilm and the board between the side edges of the plastic film to stretchthe plastic film longitudinally thereof when the plastic film is stoppedtemporarily, the stretching member being then retracted from the boardand kept apart from the plastic film by the drive, wherein thestretching member comprises a plate including an end portion at which acurved surface is formed to be curved about a center and opposed to theboard, the apparatus further comprising; an additional drive by whichthe plate is moved swingingly about the center of the curved surface;and a control device connected to the drive and the additional drive,the drive and the additional drive being controlled by the controldevice so that the plate can be advanced toward the board to make thecurved surface pressed against the plastic film between the side edgesof the plastic film, the plate being then moved swingingly by theadditional drive so that the curved surface can be rolled longitudinallyof the plastic film, the plate being then retracted from the board to bekept apart from the plastic film.